Energywise rally will test drivers and cars

A four-day journey covering almost 1800km of North Island highways makes Wanganui its first port of call next week as part of the AA Energywise Rally.
The four-day rally, held every two years, tests driver skill and motor vehicle economy over state highways that takes contestants from Auckland to Wellington and return.
This year a total of 49 vehicles have entered the event, including 32 petrol and 17 diesel vehicles.
The rally starts at Ellerslie racecourse on Monday and 540km later arrives in Wanganui for an overnight stop. The first leg heads down SH1 to Hamilton and joins SH3, driving over Mt Messenger to New Plymouth and continuing on to Wanganui.
Day two (430km) takes the field to Wellington then back up through the Wairarapa to end in Palmerston North. Day three (500km) heads from Palmerston North back over the ranges to Napier and up the Napier-Taihape road to stopover in Rotorua.
The fourth and final day (270km) takes the fleet across the Kaimai Ranges to Tauranga then on up to Paeroa, across the Hauraki Plains to the finish at Manukau.
Toyota, BMW, Suzuki, Honda, Hyundai, Subaru, Volkswagen, Mitsubishi, Holden and Mercedes-Benz will compete in eight different categories ranging from small compacts to large lifestyle vehicles and all vying for the title of most fuel efficient in each class.
Stella Stocks, general manager of AA motoring services, said manufacturers taking part recognised the "considerable interest" Kiwi motorists had in fuel efficiency.
"As motorists demand more fuel-efficient vehicles, manufacturers have done an excellent job improving their technology," Ms Stocks said.
"We expect to see evidence of this in the rally, with strong competition between all petrol, diesel and hybrid entries."
As well as motoring journalists, other drivers include former All Black Marc Ellis, former Formula 1 driver Chris Amon driving for Toyota, and rally driver Emma Gilmour in a Subaru.
The supreme winner of the rally is the vehicle that costs the least to complete the rally, based on fuel consumption and any applicable road user charges.
The public can follow the rally on Twitter @energywiserally. They can also get online @energywiserally.org.nz and enter to win a $2750 driving package.